DSWD-6 gives PHP 16.5M aid to Ramil-hit areas

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Department of Social Welfare and Development–Region 6 (DSWD-6) has released more than PHP 16.5 million worth of aid to families affected by Tropical Cyclone Ramil in Western Visayas.

The assistance, amounting to PHP 16,538,063.61, consisted of food and non-food items distributed to the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo.

As of 4 a.m. on October 21, data from the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) showed that DSWD-6 released PHP 14.793 million worth of family food packs (FFPs) to 48,405 families.

Capiz, identified as the most heavily affected province, received the largest share of the aid.

DSWD-6 provided 16,578 FFPs worth PHP 11.961 million to Capiz, along with 1,858 packs of ready-to-eat food (RTEF) valued at PHP 1,744,662.

In Iloilo province, 4,100 FFPs worth PHP 2.317 million were distributed across seven towns.

Meanwhile, four towns in Aklan received 624 FFPs with a total value of PHP 514,417.

Local governments in Aklan and Capiz also released their own assistance amounting to PHP 312,987 and PHP 361,979, respectively.

DSWD-6 regional information officer Therese Fely Legaste clarified that these figures do not include the aid distributed during DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s visit on Tuesday.

During his visit, Gatchalian led the distribution of 1,000 FFPs to flood-affected residents in Barangay Tiza, Roxas City.

He also met with Roxas City officials to discuss additional assistance for affected communities.

Gatchalian was accompanied by DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group.

As of press time, Gatchalian was tentatively scheduled to visit the towns of Pontevedra, Panay, Panit-an, and Sigma in Capiz.

According to DROMIC, 28 local government units (LGUs) comprising 369 barangays were affected by Tropical Cyclone Ramil.

In Aklan, these include the towns of Buruanga, Ibajay, Malay, and Nabas.

Antique province reported affected areas in Libertad and Pandan.

In Iloilo, the affected towns are Balasan, San Dionisio, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, and Lemery.

In Capiz, the impacted areas include Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Maayon, Mambusao, Panay, Panit-an, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Roxas City, Sapi-an, and Sigma.

DSWD emphasized its continued commitment to providing timely and appropriate support to families affected by disasters.